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5 Best IP68 Waterproof Phones In 2019

Do you need your phone to have good waterproofing capabilities? Then you’re going to want to search for a smartphone that has the IP68 waterproof rating. This is a military spec that devices have to meet to be considered submersible, or resistant against other things, such as dust, shock, drops, etc. IP68 certification is excellent for smartphones because it protects you against everyday accidents, such as dropping your phone in a pool, spilling water on it, or getting it covered in dust in a more dangerous work environment.

Best Waterproof Phone

Brand	ProductAmazon.com Link	Price on Amazon.com
Samsung	Samsung Galaxy S9 Unlocked Smartphone	559.95
HTC	HTC U11 Plus	509.79
Sony	Sony Xperia XZ2 Premium	489.99
LG	LG V30	329.99
G7	LG G7 Plus ThinQ	Check Price

Unfortunately, it can be difficult in trying to figure out what phones have the IP68 rating and what phones don’t. That said, we’ve got all the best phones with IP68 listed below. Be sure to follow along with us!

Samsung Galaxy S9

One of the latest flagship smartphones to IP68 Waterproof rating is actually Samsung’s own Galaxy S9 smartphone. This hit the market just a couple of months ago, featuring a 5.8-inch display with a massive 2,960 x 1,440 resolution. And with a pxiel density of 570ppi, you’ll get the crisp clear clarity you would expect out of a smartphone. It’s got a Snapdragon 845 processor as well, so this phone will be able to breeze through tasks.

You’ll enjoy every bit of the Galaxy S9, as its display is a dual-curved display, giving you a sweet perspective on the media you watch. A large 3,000mAh battery will keep the phone running all day long.

Buy it now: Amazon

LG G7 ThinQ

LG is launching an IP68-rated smartphone in just a couple of weeks — the LG G7 ThinQ. It’s got a 6.1-inch display with a resolution 3,120 x 1,440. A 564ppi pixel density means you’re going to see crisp clear quality in every page you open — websites, movies, TV shows, YouTube videos, you name it. The IP68 rating will keep the phone protected against submersion, spills and any other accidental liquids you come in contact with.

It’s got a Snapdragon 845 processor, so you can expect the phone to do well with any app you put it up against. In addition, a 3,000mAh battery will keep the lights powered on all day long.

Buy it now: Amazon

HTC U11+

You also might want to consider what HTC is offering in the U11+. It, of course, has IP68 Waterproof rating, so you definitely don’t have to worry about ruining your phone if it were to come in contact with liquids. It’s got a 6-inch display with a resolution of 2,880 x 1,440. That said, you’ll get a viewing experience like no other. It runs Android Oreo and has a Snapdragon 835 processor that does phenomenally well in every aspect; it’s even great at battery efficiency!

Buy it now: Amazon

LG V30

You’ll also want to consider the LG V30. This is what LG considers to be its professional video phone. It has a ton of built-in manual video and photo controls, so you can capture that perfect shot or record perfect video with your own custom settings. And since it has IP68 rating, you’ll be able to continue recording even under a couple of meters of water!

It has got a 6-inch display with a resolution of 2,880 x 1,440. So, like the other phones in this list, you’ll get a good media experience. It’s military-grade as well, so this phone is able to put up with a lot — water, dust, shock, drops, you name it! It has a massive 3,330mAh battery as well, so you’ll be able to get quite a few hours of video recording out of this phone pretty easily.

Buy it now: Amazon

Sony Xperia XZ2 Premium

Last up, we have the Xperia XZ2 Premium smartphone. It’s IP68-rated, so you don’t have to worry about losing this phone to water spills or other liquids. It’s got one of the most beautiful displays on this list — a 5.8-inch 2,160 x 3,840 IPS LCD panel. It’s got some built-in technology, such as X-Reality Engine and Triluminos Display to make details even clearer. Text is sharp and media looks great.

Of course, you need one hell of a battery to push all of those pixels, which is why you have a large 3,540 Quick Charge-capable battery. A Snapdragon 845 processor and 6GB of RAM will keep your apps running super smooth, too.

Buy it now: Amazon

Closing

So, which smartphone should you pick up? We recommend going with the Galaxy S9 — you can’t get much better than what Samsung offers with its ecosystem. BUt, if you’re not a Samsung fan, you can’t go wrong with what Sony offers in the Xperia XZ2 or what LG is offering in the G7 ThinQ. The HTC U11+ certainly isn’t a bad choice either!

Best Waterproof Phone

Brand	ProductAmazon.com Link	Price on Amazon.com
Samsung	Samsung Galaxy S9 Unlocked Smartphone	559.95
HTC	HTC U11 Plus	509.79
Sony	Sony Xperia XZ2 Premium	489.99
LG	LG V30	329.99
G7	LG G7 Plus ThinQ	Check Price

How to fix Sony Xperia XZ Premium that turned off and won’t turn back on (easy steps)

Even a premium phone like the Sony Xperia XZ Premium can also be plagued with problems that affect its capability to turn on and boot up properly. In fact, there’ve been several owners have been complaining that their devices turned off and won’t turn back on. Anybody would think that it’s hardware issue but if it occurred without apparent reason or cause, that may not be the case.

Aside from the hardware, the operating system is also responsible in making the phone run properly. In fact, if there’s a tiny problem with the system, it may result to a phone that won’t respond and that might be the case here. So, we will have to look into this problem to know why your Xperia XZ Premium can no longer turn back on. If you’re one of the owners of this phone and are currently bugged by a similar problem, continue reading as this post may be able to help you.

For smartphone owners who found our site while trying to find a solution, try to see if your phone is one of the devices we support. If it is, then visit the troubleshooting page for that device, browse through it to find issues that are similar with yours and feel free to use our solutions and workarounds. However, if you still need our help after that, then fill up our Android issues questionnaire and hit submit to contact us.

How to fix Sony Xperia XZ Premium that won’t turn on

First off, if you dropped your phone on a hard surface or used it underwater for a while and then this problem started, then you might be looking at a possible physical or liquid damage. In this case, you should bring the phone to the service center so that the technician can do whatever it is that needed to be done to salvage your phone. I understand that Xperia XZ Premium has the IP68 rating but bear in mind that such certification is only for dust and water resistance; your device is resistant to water for a given period of time but given the right circumstances, there’s still a chance that water can get into your phone and mess up the circuits.

However, if the problem occurred out of the blue without apparent reason, then it should pretty easy to fix. To do so, follow these steps…

Press and hold the Volume Up button and the Power key at the same time for 6 seconds or more.

This is what we often refer to as “Forced Restart” because for smartphones with non-removable batteries, it’s like pulling the battery out of the device without actually doing it. In other words, it has the benefits of the battery pull procedure and it’s also very effective in addressing problems that have something to do with the crashing of the system. If, however, your phone doesn’t respond to this, they try this.

Press and hold the Volume Up first and don’t let it go.
Now, press and hold the Power key while holding down the Volume Up button.
Keep both keys held down for 6 seconds or more to reboot your phone.

This basically has the same effect as the first procedure only that we’re trying to make sure the combination is done correctly. Holding down the Volume Up button before the Power key has a different effect than doing it otherwise. If by any chance your Sony Xperia XZ Premium is still not responding to this, then here’s the next thing you could do…

Plug the charger to a working wall outlet and make sure you’re using the original charger.
Using the original cable, connect your phone to its charger.
Leave the phone connected to its charger for at least 10 minutes regardless whether it’s responding to it or not.
Now, press and hold the Volume Up button and the Power key at the same time for 6 seconds or more.

We’re trying to rule out the possibility that the phone isn’t responding due to a drained battery so we connect it to its charger so that it could have a stable power source. Then, we tried doing the Forced Restart again but this time while the device is connected to its charger. After doing this and the phone is still not responding or turning on, then it’s time you brought it to the service center so that a technician can check it out.

I hope that our solution will work for you. If you still have concerns you want to share with us, leave a comment below.

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Sony to bring back Stamina Mode with Marshmallow update

Most #Sony flagships will start getting the #Android 6.0 #Marshmallow update soon. Users have for long asked for Stamina Mode to be included in the update. It seems like the company has finally heard their requests as there’s confirmation coming through now that Stamina Mode will be bundled with the Xperia Marshmallow update.

This is the best news that Sony fans wanted to hear and it’s equally good to know that Sony is not simply sending out updates, but is taking user feedback very seriously as well.

With Stamina Mode, customers are able to eke out more battery life than usual, which makes it a very attractive feature. However, the company removed this feature with Marshmallow as Google was bundling in Doze Mode by default. But upon realizing that they’re not the same, Sony has wisely decided to bring back Stamina Mode for Xperia devices.

Have you used this feature before? What do you make of this news?

Via: Xperia Blog

Sony to release two new Xperia flagships in Q2 2016

According to a leaked slide accessed from T-Mobile Poland’s presentation, #Sony will launch two new #Xperia flagships in Q2 2016. The slide also reveals that Samsung’s flagship will be arriving in Q1 2016, while the HTC flagship is also scheduled to arrive sometime by the end of Q1. Four new LG handsets are also said to be releasing in Q2 2016, so it seems like we’re going to be in for a very fruitful year.

The mention of Sony flagships is particularly interesting as this tells us that the company is no longer looking to release two flagships in a calendar year. By limiting the number of flagships, the company can focus more on one device and offer the best it has. The names of the two devices haven’t been revealed obviously, but we expect to learn more on that aspect very soon.

Sony has traditionally launched devices in Q1 2016, so the release of a flagship in the middle of the year could certainly be interesting for the market. What do you think?

Via: Xperia Blog

Sony Xperia Z5 could get Android 6.0 in January

The #Sony #XperiaZ5 smartphone was launched very recently by the Japanese manufacturer. A new report now mentions that the device might be already gearing up to receive the Android 6.0 Marshmallow update. The news come from a renowned source on Twitter, so this could well be legitimate information.

He goes on to mention that the rest of the Xperia lineup will only get the update after the current lot of the Xperia Z5 series devices get them, so the wait might be longer if you own an Xperia Z3+ or the Xperia Z2. However, it’s good to know that Sony might actually have a plan in place to schedule the update accordingly.

For now, we’re treating this as unconfirmed as Sony is yet to make anything official on the matter. But given that the company is actively involved in developing the Android 6.0 ROM, it seems believable that the current lot of Xperia Z5 flagships will get the update sometime in January or February next year.

Source: @Ricciolo1 – Twitter

Via: Phone Arena

Sony Xperia Z3 Plus now officially available for purchase in the U.S.

The #Sony Xperia Z3+ which is also known as the #XperiaZ3Plus is now available for purchase in the U.S. via Sony’s official site. The smartphone has been up for grabs for quite some time via third party retailers, although these units never came with warranty on board. However, this model is being offered directly by the company (via B&H Photo Video) and as such comes with after sales support as well.

The retailer is asking for $499.99, which is quite decent considering that this is an early 2015 smartphone. The Xperia Z3+ is a slightly upgraded version of last year’s Xperia Z3 and doesn’t exactly come with a lot of new features compared to the late 2014 flagship, so the $500 price tag might seem like a little too much.

The smartphone comes with a 5.2 inch 1080p display, a 20.7-megapixel rear camera, the octa core Snapdragon 810 SoC, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of internal storage (expandable), Android 5.0 Lollipop and a 2,930 mAh battery. The smartphone will soon receive an update to Android 6.0 Marshmallow as well, so customers can purchase the device knowing that Sony will update the device to the latest version of Android.

Source: B&H Photo Video

Via: Xperia Blog

New update on the Sony Xperia Z5 improves camera performance to a great extent

The #Sony #XperiaZ5 smartphone is known for its industry topping 23-megapixel rear camera sensor. The company has now sent out an update to the device which will drastically improve the camera performance.

The company has introduced swipe gestures within the camera app, letting you alternate between different shooting modes with a simple swipe. Previously, users were required to manually head over to the camera settings and select the camera modes that way, but this makes the experience a lot easier and hassle free.

The Xperia Z5 didn’t get the recognition it deserved, with the Xperia Z5 Premium taking all the attention in the global markets thanks to its 4K resolution display. The Xperia Z5 can be bought in the U.S. via retailers like Amazon, albeit at a hefty price tag. So there are options to purchase the smartphone even though Sony is yet to officially announce the arrival of the handset in the country.

Source: Sony

Via: Android Central

Sony not looking to sell its mobile division: Reports

According to a new report, #Sony is not looking to put up its mobile division for sale anytime soon. Speculations about Sony exiting the mobile business have been making the rounds for quite some time now, so it didn’t surprise us when the company CEO mentioned that Sony would be looking at 2016 as a crucial year and it could potentially be a make-or-break year for the company.

However, the company has apparently brushed aside all talks of a possible sale, meaning that Sony Mobile is here to stay, at least for the foreseeable future. However, the pressure is pretty high on the company right now with devices like the Xperia Z5 and the Xperia Z5 Premium launching in the markets.

With the Xperia Z5 Premium, Sony pushed the boundaries of hardware by fitting a 4K resolution display underneath. This was quite extraordinary and naturally a first for the mobile industry. The Xperia Z5 was said to be sporting one of the best mobile camera sensors in the market. However, the company will need to build a decent presence in markets of North America for it to have any impact on the company’s bottomline. That doesn’t seem to be happening all that well with the Xperia Z4v being canned by Verizon Wireless recently.

Source: CNBeta

Via: G For Games

Sony stresses on the importance of 2016 for its mobile business

It’s no secret that Sony’s mobile business is currently struggling in the industry. This is something that multiple quarterly and annual financial reports have told us over the past few years. The company’s CEO Kaz Hirai has now acknowledged this and mentioned that 2016 is going to be a very important year for #Sony and its mobile business in general.

He even went on to say that the company will need to start entertaining “alternative options” if it cannot break-even in terms of profits. Essentially, Hirai is stressing on the success of the Xperia flagships that will be released in 2016. This year, we saw the release of the Xperia Z3+ and the specs heavy Xperia Z5 Premium along with the Xperia Z5 and the Xperia Z5 Compact.

Here’s the entirety of the CEO’s statement –

“We will continue with the business as long as we are on track with the scenario of breaking even next year onwards. Otherwise, we haven’t eliminated the consideration of alternative options.
“I do have a feeling that a turnaround in our electronics business has shown progress. The result of three years of restructuring are starting to show. But we still need to carry out restructuring in smartphones.”

Source: Reuters

Via: Xperia Blog

Confirmed: Verizon and Sony cancel the Xperia Z4v

Last week, we heard for the very first time that the #Sony XperiaZ4v which was scheduled for a summertime release in the U.S. might have been canceled. Today, we’re getting confirmation of this directly from Verizon Wireless, thus confirming once and for all that the handset has been canned.

Verizon said – “Verizon will no longer be launching Xperia Z4v, however we are committed to supporting Sony Mobile’s product portfolio and will support existing products. Sony is a strategic partner as we continue having ongoing discussions together as part of our future portfolio.”

This should come as no shock to the customers as Sony is all set to release the Xperia Z5 and the Xperia Z5 Premium in the U.S. soon. Sony’s smartphone business hasn’t exactly been booming, so it makes sense for the company to minimize the number of devices it brings to a crucial market like the U.S. and focus more on the recently launched devices.

As of now, neither of the top four American carriers have confirmed a precise availability date for the Xperia Z5 or the Z5 Premium, so we’re still somewhat in the dark as to when the devices will be actually released in the country.

Do you think this was a wise decision on Sony’s part?

Source: Verizon

Sony warns customers against using their waterproof Xperia phones underwater

The #Sony #XperiaZ5 and a few older flagships come with water resistant tech underneath as we all know. However, the company has now urged its users to not use the phones underwater as it could lead to potentially damaging results. This is despite the smartphone featuring water resistance tech and the ability to sustain water pressure up to 1.5 meters.

The company’s support page mentions the following “the IP rating of your device was achieved in laboratory conditions in standby mode, so you should not use the device underwater, such as taking pictures.” It’s funny that the company would change its words now as some of its past promotional materials have endorsed the ability to take pictures underwater, like in the image above.

Perhaps the company ran into some water damage related issues in such situations. With the company’s stance now firm on this, it’s clear that Sony will not entertain any such complaints in the future. So if you have a water resistant Sony smartphone, just make sure you don’t take it swimming with you.

Source: Sony

Via: Xperia Blog, Techno Buffalo

Sony now sending out the Android 5.1.1 update to older Xperia devices

#Android 5.1 is no longer the hottest update to hit the devices, given that it’s already available in a wide range of devices globally. However, some older smartphones and tablets are still waiting in line to receive the update. Sony’s #XperiaZ lineup is one among them, but thankfully for the users, the wait is finally over as the company has started sending out the update to a variety of older Xperia Z series smartphones including the Xperia ZL, the #XperiaTabletZ, the #XperiaZR as well as the #XperiaZ.

The update is currently seeding out gradually and will not reflect on all devices right away, so users are urged to remain patient if they don’t see an update notification popping up on their device right away. The Xperia Z, ZL, ZR and the Xperia Tablet Z were all released in 2013, so they’re not exactly new devices. But it’s good to see that Sony is still committed to sending out updates to older and relatively outdated devices as well.

Are you an owner of either of the aforementioned devices? Sound off below.

Via: Xperia Blog

Sony Xperia Z5 and Xperia Z5 Compact official with Snapdragon 810, 23MP cameras and more

While the #Sony #XperiaZ5Premium is the company’s top of the line flagship for late 2015, the Japanese manufacturer also unveiled two other handsets in the Z5 range, the #XperiaZ5 and the #Z5Compact. Obviously, the Xperia Z5 Compact is the smaller of the two and comes with a 4.6 inch display panel (720p) while the Xperia Z5 has a larger 5.2 inch display (1080p).

The two devices share the same Snapdragon 810 SoC, Android 5.1.1 Lollipop, fingerprint scanners (power button), 32GB of storage, the 23-megapixel rear camera as well as the 5.1-megapixel front camera. The Xperia Z5 will have 3GB of RAM on board, while its smaller sibling will have to settle with 2GB. Both handsets will have expandable microSD card slots which can take cards of up to 200GB.

The 23-megapixel camera used by Sony is touted to be the world’s fastest autofocusing sensor, thanks to the unique and exclusive f/2.0 sensor used by the company. The camera is capable of taking 23-megapixel photos in 4:3 aspect ratio or 20M-megapixel images in 16:9 aspect ratio. The Xperia Z5 Compact comes with a 2,700 mAh battery underneath, while the Xperia Z5 has a slightly larger 2,900 mAh unit.

Both phones will be up for grabs starting October and the company is yet to give out pricing details for either models. It seems like the company will have the Xperia Z5 and the Z5 Compact in the markets first, followed by the Z5 Premium a month later.

Trio of Sony Xperia Z5 flagships leaked in hands-on images

The #Sony XperiaZ5, the Z5Compact and the #XperiaZ5Premium have just been leaked out by a series of hands-on images. These high resolution images give us a very good idea of the size difference between the three smartphones, with the largest being the Xperia Z5 Premium with a 5.5 inch display while the smallest is the Xperia Z5 Compact with the 4.5 inch display panel. The Xperia Z5 is said to be sporting a 5.2 inch display on board.

The side angle photo reveals that the Xperia Z5 family will be quite thick, which is something that previous leaks have hinted at as well. Interestingly, the Xperia Z5 Premium here seems to be packing a shiny glossy back panel while the remaining two have a matte, almost rubbery finish. The handsets will be officially shown off by the company during the IFA 2015 event later this month, so there isn’t a lot of time left for the release of these flagships.

All three handsets should be running the enhanced Snapdragon 810 silicon underneath, making them quite powerful as far as performance is concerned. We hope Sony doesn’t encounter any overheating related issues with the new chipset, which is something that has marred the reputation of the Snapdragon 810.

Via: Xperia Blog